Modular Weight Vest

ABSTRACT

The weight vest includes a carrier or support garment and a plurality of individual weight packets, which are selectively mounted to the support garment using a MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) interface style connection. The MOLLE system connection allows each individual weight to be readily affixed to and selectively positioned about the support garment to distribute the weight as needed and desired.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/165,262 filed May 22, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

This invention relates to a weighted vest used in physical exercise, and in particular a modular weight vest having individual weights affixed using a MOLLE attachment mechanism.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Weight vests are used in physical training and exercise, particularly muscle building, body-weight exercises, and cardio activities. Weight vests are worn to provide more weight to the body during exercise making the exercise more challenging and more effective. Because weight vests are worn during exercise the vests must be snugly fit to the wearer and more importantly any weights carried on the vest must be securely attached the vest. Most weight vests carry individual weights in pockets or pouches that allow weights to be selectively added to the vest. Heretofore, the use of pockets and pouches to carry individual weights has not provided sufficient support when weight vests are used in the dynamic movement of certain physical exercises.

The weight vest of this invention includes a carrier or support garment and a plurality of individual weight packets, which are selectively mounted to the support garment using a MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) interface style connection. The MOLLE system connection allows the each individual weight to be readily affixed to and selectively positioned about the support garment to distribute the weight as needed and desired. The support garment may take any form suitable for being worn by an individual during exercise and activities. In one embodiment, the support garment consists of a vest having a front section and a back with open sides. The front section and back sections have a plurality of slits integrally formed in the cover material, which provides the Molle interface. The individual weight packets consist of a weighted core covered by a fabric covering integrally bonded to the core. The packet includes a fastening strap, which allows the packet to be directly affixed to the MOLLE interface of the support garment.

The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may take form in various system and method components and arrangement of system and method components. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The drawings illustrate the present invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the weight vest of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an individual weight packet of the weight vest shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the weight packet of FIG. 2 with a portion cutaway;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the weight packet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the weight vest of FIG. 1 showing the weight packet attached to the support garment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an individual weight packet; and

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the weight packet of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 show an exemplary embodiment of the modular weight vest of this invention, designated generally as reference number 100. Weight vest 100 includes carrier or support garment 110 and a plurality of weight packets 120 which are selectively mounted to the support garment 110 using a MOLLE style connection. The MOLLE style connection allows each individual weight to be readily affixed to and selectively positioned about the support garment to distribute the weight as needed and desired. MOLLE style interfaces are well known and commonly used attaching components and accessories to load bearing equipment, such as packs, chest rigs and tactical vests.

Support garment 110 may take any form suitable for being worn by an individual during exercise and activities. The materials and manner of construction of support garment 110 are readily known in the art and will not be described in detail herein; however, support garment 110 is sewn and constructed generally of nylon fabrics, such as Cordura® from INVISTA, but can be made from any natural or synthetic cloth or fabric, which resists tears, abrasions and scuffs. Straps of elastic and nylon webbing are also used in the construction of support garment 110 for various components and feature. Hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro® are used in various places to secure and interconnect various flaps, closures and components; however, other types of fasteners, such as, snaps, buttons, frogs, clips, ties and pins may be used in place of the hook and loop materials without deviating from the teaching of this invention. Similarly, quick connect buckles and fasteners are used to connect and secure straps and webbing, but other types of fasteners may be used instead.

As shown in FIG. 1, support garment 110 consists of a vest having a front section 112 and a back section 114 with open sides. Adjustable side straps 116 with side buckles 117 connect the front and back sections 112 and 114. Front and back sections 112 and 114 have a plurality of slits 111 integrally formed in the cover material, which provides the Molle interface. Slits 111 are arranged in an array of rows and columns.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-4, weight packets 120 include a weighed core or body 122 covered by a fabric covering 124 integrally bonded to the core. Covering 124 is generally durable cloth material which gives the packet a tactile external texture. Packet 120 also includes a fastening strap 130, which allow weight packets 120 to be directly affixed to support garment 110. One end of fastening strap 130 is affixed to the top of the packet and the other end of the strap connected to the back of the pack using a snap fastener 132. Weight packets 120 also include a strap keeper 134 mounted to the back side of fabric covering 124. To connect the weight packets 120 to support article 110, the free end of fastening straps 130 is passed under strap keeper 134 and interwoven between slits 111 with snap fasteners 132 securing the free end of fastening strap 120 to the back of weight packets 130 (FIG. 5).

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the individual weight packet of this invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 140. Weight packet 140 includes a cast lead body, similar to a scuba diving weight, and a fastening strap 150. The lead body may covered in a durable cloth or polymer material, or may be uncovered as shown. A fastening strap 150 extends vertically through a slot 141. One end of strap 150 is doubled over and sewn to form a stop 154, which prevents the strap from being pulled from the weighted body. Male and female snap parts 152 are affixed to opposite ends of fastening strap 140. Weight packet 150 is mounted to support 110 in the same fashion as weight packet 120.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention having significant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The embodiment of the present invention herein described and illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim: 1: A weight vest for physical exercise comprising: a support garment adapted to be worn by a user; and a plurality of removable weight packets adapted to be selectively attached to the support garment, each of the plurality of individual weight packets includes a weighted body, an elongated fastening strap extending from the weight packet for connecting the strap to the weighted body, the support garment includes an outer covering having a plurality of horizontal slits arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and adapted to receive the straps of the plurality of weight packets where the straps are interwoven through adjacent slits in one of the columns. 2: The weight vest of claim 1 wherein the fastening strap of each of the plurality of removable weight packets has a first end affixed to the weighted body and a second extending from the weighted body. 3: The weight vest of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of removable weight packets includes a mating fasteners affixed to the weighted body and second end of the fastening strap for detachably connecting the second end of the strap to the weighted body. 4: The weight vest of claim 1 wherein the weighted body of each of the plurality of removable weight packets has a through slot defined therein and the fastening strap passes through the slot of the weighted body. 5: The weight vest of claim 4 wherein the fastening strap of each of the plurality of removable weight packets has a first end extending through the slot of the weighted body and a second extending from the weighted body. 6: The weight vest of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of removable weight packets includes a strap keeper affixed to the weight body. 